Webinar: Looking for South European Startups to Solve Deep Tech Corporate Challenges
Are you a startup or an SME from Southern Europe seeking for new business opportunities?
We invite you to participate in our upcoming webinar ''Looking for South European Startups to Solve Deep Tech Corporate Challenges'', which is taking place next Wednesday, 9th of October, 2024, at 13:00 CET.
South3E organises this online session in the frame of the Open Call for scale-ups and SMEs from Southern Europe to join S3E Reverse — our brokerage program that connects corporate challenges with deep tech solutions developed by startups, designed upon a successful open innovation methodology.
The webinar is a perfect opportunity for you to get a deeper knowledge of the available corporate challenges and check if your startup can bring a potential solution.
| 13:00-13:10 | Welcome & Program Presentation by Odysseas Spyroglou, from International Development Ireland |
| 13:10-13:55 | Presentation of challenges by the corporates’ representatives |
| 13:55-14:05 | EIT opportunities and how Tech Brokers could help Solvers by EIT Digital Greece |
| 14:05-14:20 | How to apply? Guidelines for Solvers by Odysseas Spyroglou, from International Development Ireland |
| 14:20 – 14:30 | Q&A |
Don’t miss this opportunity to address specific problems of businesses and expand your commercial network!
S3E Reverse: University Hospital Cologne and Tero join forces to implement Big Data management systems in hospital settings
Through the S3E Reverse program, University Hospital Cologne and Greek startup Tero are coming together to devise effective management systems for highly sensitive clinical data.
Part of the EU-funded project South3E, Reverse is a dedicated business brokerage program connecting corporate challenges with deep tech solutions developed by scaleups and SMEs from Southern Europe. The program is built on a successful open innovation methodology designed to foster collaboration and drive technological advancement.
The challenge
The University Hospital Cologne (Uniklinik Köln) is one of Germany’s most outstanding medical centers, internationally renowned for its innovation-driven research powering some of the most disruptive solutions in modern healthcare. Among its many successes, the interdisciplinary teams at Cologne are acclaimed for leading up the development of new treatments for patients underpinned by robust scientific research, especially in the area of rare diseases.
In order to facilitate the safe exchange of clinical data and support informed clinical decision-making at the Hospital, they were looking to implement a robust data-protecting systems for its intra- and interhospital infrastructures, which is crucial for ensuring that sensitive patient information is transmitted securely between departments and partner institutions, minimizing the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access.
Without such protections, the hospital could face significant risks, including compromised patient privacy, potential legal liabilities, and the erosion of trust in the healthcare system. Additionally, delays or inaccuracies in clinical decision-making due to insecure or inefficient data exchange could lead to suboptimal patient outcomes.
With this in mind, the University Hospital Cologne signed up to S3E Reverse as a Challenger to find a specialist tech startup capable of providing the ultimate solution to their key need.
After receiving Cologne’s challenge, Reverse broker Epaminondas Christophilopoulos was assigned to the mission of finding the best match for them. He is the UNESCO Chair on Futures Research at the Institute of Technology and Research (FORTH), and holds an impressive track record of providing foresight, strategy, innovation and long-term planning advisory in R&D activities carried by public and private corporations.
The solution
Greek startup Tero specialises in developing technologies aimed at improving environmental and social welfare. Their main focus is to provide innovative solutions for environmental monitoring, pollution control and sustainable development, and they offer expertise in managing projects that integrate advanced technology with environmental science.
However, in addition to their environmental focus, Tero also works on projects that have a significant social impact. This includes initiatives that enhance public health, safety, and community well-being through the application of their ICT solutions, making them the perfect Solver to tackle University Hospital Cologne's challenge: to design a high-tech platform for big data management and the support of secure information exchange in a hospital setting.
By joining S3E Reverse, Tero’s team of professionals brought in their expertise and knowledge to help Cologne’s clinicians and researchers to implement a big data management system to enhance the protection of clinical data by centralizing and securing patient information across various platforms. This approach will enable the hospital to monitor data access, detect potential breaches in real-time, and enforce stringent security protocols. Additionally, the system would ensure that only authorized personnel can access sensitive information, reducing the risk of unauthorized data exposure.
Overall, by collaborating hand-in-hand with Tero, the Hospital will be able to manage large volumes of clinical data efficiently, as well as improving their compliance with regulatory standards, safeguarding patient privacy and maintaining trust.
A call to innovators: apply to be a Solver and join the Deep Tech revolution!
This partnership between University Hospital Cologne and Tero is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation to tackle industry challenges.
We invite all Deep Tech startups and SMEs based in Southern Europe to explore our challenges and join the S3E Reverse program as a Solver. The deadline for applications is 31 October 2024.
For more information and to apply, click here.
S3E Reverse: University Hospital Cologne and CNT set on a mission to revolutionize medical research
Through the S3E Reverse program, University Hospital Cologne and Greek startup Creative Novel Technologies (CNT) are joining forces to develop AI-powered tools that can help researchers and clinicians bring new solutions to patients faster.
Part of the EU-funded project South3E, Reverse is a dedicated business brokerage program connecting corporate challenges with deep tech solutions developed by scaleups and SMEs from Southern Europe. The program is built on a successful open innovation methodology designed to foster collaboration and drive technological advancement.
The challenge
The University Hospital Cologne (Uniklinik Köln) is one of Germany’s most outstanding medical centers, internationally renowned for its innovation-driven research powering some of the most disruptive solutions in modern healthcare. Among its many successes, the interdisciplinary teams at Cologne are acclaimed for leading up the development of new treatments for patients underpinned by robust scientific research, especially in the area of rare diseases.
With the amount of research being produced by medical and healthcare experts, the university hospital has been looking at appropriate techniques to develop search strategies for systematic reviews of medical research. One of the main challenges that researchers encounter during their investigative processes is having to sift through multiple databases and sources of scientific literature, making it extremely time and resource intensive.
With this in mind, the University Hospital Cologne signed up to S3E Reverse as a Challenger to find a specialist tech startup capable of providing the ultimate solution to their key need.
After receiving Cologne’s challenge, Reverse broker Epaminondas Christophilopoulos was assigned to the mission of finding the best match for them. He is the UNESCO Chair on Futures Research at the Institute of Technology and Research (FORTH), and holds an impressive track record of providing foresight, strategy, innovation and long-term planning advisory in R&D activities carried by public and private corporations.
The solution
With a clear mission to leverage the full capabilities of IoT technologies to help others innovate, Thessaloniki-based startup CNT stood out as the most fitting Solver to tackle two challenges submitted by University Hospital Cologne: to develop sustainable search frameworks to support medical and clinical researchers in their day-to-day investigative work.
Dimitrios Tektonidis is the brain behind CNT's innovative solutions, a Computer Science expert leading a large network of specialists to create new products, services and integrated IT solutions — from the implementation of Internet Systems Management all the way to the creation of tailored Cloud-based systems.
By joining S3E Reverse, CNT’s team of professionals brought in their expertise and knowledge to help Cologne’s researchers accelerate their discoveries, bringing them closer to finding solutions to some of the most pressing health issues they’re dealing with.
In order to tackle the challenge, CNT has offered their very own AI-powered semantic search services supported by the in-house developed ONAR framework, which has been developed as part of long collaborations with industry and research organisations, and previously validated in a number of business and use cases. This will help medical researchers minimize their paper scouting time, accelerating the speed in which life science researchers gain insights.
Thanks to CNT’s state-of-the-art IoT approach, this powerful collaboration with University Hospital Cologne is set to revolutionize medical research in academia, and in turn make a positive impact on the lives of many patients whilst paving the way for the future of healthcare innovation.
A call to innovators: apply to be a Solver and join the Deep Tech revolution!
This partnership between University Hospital Cologne and CNT is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation to tackle industry challenges.
We invite all Deep Tech startups and SMEs based in Southern Europe to explore our challenges and join the S3E Reverse program as a Solver. The deadline for applications is 31 October 2024.
For more information and to apply, click here.
S3E Reverse: The Zenith-Vodéna alliance redefining Smart Cities planning and energy management
Through the S3E Reverse program, energy provider Zenith and Serbian startup Vodéna are joining forces to reshape the landscape of smart cities, while driving technological progress and sustainable development.
The S3E Reverse program is part of the South3E EU-funded project, consisting of a dedicated brokerage program connecting corporate challenges with deep tech solutions developed by startups from Southern Europe. This program is built on a successful open innovation methodology designed to foster collaboration and drive technological advancement.
The business match between Zenith and Vodéna
Zenith, with its extensive experience in the energy sector, got hooked with a pressing challenge: the need for accurate power and gas demand forecasting algorithms for both residential and commercial users. Accurate forecasting is crucial for optimizing resources, reducing waste and ensuring a reliable supply of energy. However, developing these predictive models in-house proved to be a complex and resource-intensive task.
When Zenith presented this challenge, it became one of the many critical problems awaiting innovative solutions in the S3E Reverse Open Call, an initiative designed to connect large organizations with innovative solutions from SMEs and scale-ups across Southern Europe. This open call invites participants to submit their ideas and products to address specific challenges posed by large corporations and boost cross-border business opportunities.
Our S3E Deep Tech broker, Dimitris Papageorgiou, has played an essential role in making this match happen, finding the perfect solution to the challenge. Dimitris is the Innovation Funding Manager at TVP Solar, a Swiss manufacturer of high-vacuum flat solar thermal panels and a provider of turn-key solutions for industrial and district heating and cooling applications.
Thanks to Dimitris' involvement in S3E Reverse, Vodéna was introduced as an innovative startup with a rich academic heritage to meet Zenith's challenge. Emerging as a spin-off from the Faculty of Science at the University of Kragujevac, Vodéna excels in software development for physical and data-driven modelling. Their flagship product, BlackFox, stood out as the perfect solution for Zenith's needs.
Mutual benefits and industry impact
BlackFox is a cloud-based, automated platform designed to generate predictive models. It boasts a "set and forget" functionality that continuously creates, monitors and refines data-driven models, making it an ideal tool for businesses looking to integrate artificial intelligence without the hefty overheads of scarce talent and expensive infrastructure.
The BlackFox platform, divided into two key modules, leverages an evolutionary process to generate optimal machine learning models and, at the same time, automates the production, management, and deployment of predictive models on an industrial scale.
For Zenith, BlackFox offers seamless integration into its operations, enabling it to forecast energy demands with unprecedented accuracy and efficiency.
With the implementation of BlackFox, Zenith can better manage the integration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) into the grid. This capability is essential for the development of sustainable urban environments where energy efficiency, reduced emissions and optimal resource management are paramount.
By leveraging Vodéna's Smarticity platform, which is based on BlackFox technology, cities can manage energy systems more efficiently, involving thousands of producers and consumers. This alternative approach to energy management is crucial for developing smart cities, where technology and data play a central role in enhancing the quality of life for residents.
This collaboration showcases how established corporations and agile startups can come together to tackle complex challenges, paving the way for a smarter, more sustainable future.
A call to innovators: apply to be a Solver and join the Deep Tech revolution!
This partnership between Sogrape and Agritrack is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in addressing industry challenges. By leveraging Agritrack’s advanced technology, Sogrape is poised to enhance its supply chain transparency and ensure its products’ highest standards of quality and authenticity.
We invite all Deep Tech startups and SMEs based in Southern Europe to explore our challenges and join the S3E Reverse program as a Solver. The deadline for applications is 31 October 2024.
For more information and to apply, click here.
S3E Reverse: Zenith and Inteligg unite to improve efficiency in energy consumption
Through the S3E Reverse program, energy provider Zenith and Greek startup Inteligg are forging a transformative partnership to enhance the forecasting capabilities of energy demand for more efficient and sustainable environmental impact assessments.
The S3E Reverse program is part of the South3E EU-funded project, consisting of a dedicated brokerage program connecting corporate challenges with deep tech solutions developed by startups from Southern Europe. This program is built on a successful open innovation methodology designed to foster collaboration and drive technological advancement.
The business match between Zenith and Inteligg
Zenith, considered the the No 1 supplier of natural gas and electricity in Greece, was facing the complex challenge of developing advanced power and gas demand forecasting algorithms for residential and commercial users. By joining the S3E Reverse program as a 'Challenger, Zenith found an ideal collaborator in Inteligg, a pioneering Greek startup specialised in delivering intelligent, innovative, sustainable solutions for Smart Cities and communities.
The assigned S3E Deep Tech broker, Dimitris Papageorgiou, played an essential role in making this match happen, finding the perfect solution to the challenge. Dimitris is the Innovation Funding Manager at TVP Solar SA, Switzerland, a manufacturer of high-vacuum flat solar thermal panels and a provider of turn-key solutions for industrial and district heating and cooling applications.
Under the South3E EU-funded innovation action, this collaboration fosters Inteligg's Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) to help Zenith enhance its forecasting capabilities on energy demand. By collecting historical energy demand data from smart meters and additional sensors, Inteligg's technology enables precise monitoring and management of energy consumption. Zenith will integrate this system within its residential and corporate customer bases, potentially exploring demand-side heating and cooling management within energy communities.
Mutual benefits and industry impact
This partnership exemplifies the power of collaboration and innovation in tackling energy industry challenges as Zenith leverages Inteligg's advanced technology to achieve its forecasting goals more efficiently and accurately. This synergy enhances Zenith's operational capabilities and highlights the potential for emerging startups to drive progress within established companies.
Inteligg's portfolio incorporates cloud-based Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS), smart thermostats and turnkey building installations. The founding team, composed of mechanical, electrical, aerospace and computer engineers, brings extensive experience in national and international research projects. Their work spans energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable mobility, environmental impact assessment and ICT solutions.
While Zenith benefits from improved forecasting accuracy and operational efficiency, Inteligg gains a significant platform to showcase its solutions and expand its market presence.
Regarding the industry impact, the implementation of energy efficiency solutions encourages sustainable behaviours among residents and businesses. Real-time energy monitoring and management systems provide users with insights into their energy consumption patterns, promoting awareness and encouraging more sustainable practices.
To conclude, their work on energy efficiency solutions is essential to the sustainability of smart cities. They offer an alternative approach to enhancing urban living, conserving the environment, boosting the economy, and fostering a culture of sustainability. As cities worldwide continue to grow and evolve, adopting energy-efficient technologies will be crucial in building resilient, sustainable and thriving urban communities.
A call to innovators: apply to be a Solver and join the Deep Tech revolution!
This partnership between Sogrape and Agritrack is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in addressing industry challenges. By leveraging Agritrack’s advanced technology, Sogrape is poised to enhance its supply chain transparency and ensure its products’ highest standards of quality and authenticity.
We invite all Deep Tech startups and SMEs based in Southern Europe to explore our challenges and join the S3E Reverse program as a Solver. The deadline for applications is 31 October 2024.
For more information and to apply, click here.
Let’s revolutionize the Southern European Deep Tech ecosystem together!
S3E Reverse: Sogrape and Agritrack working together to revolutionize wine industry transparency
In a groundbreaking development for the wine industry, Sogrape, a leading wine producer from Portugal with a global reach, has successfully found its perfect challenge 'Solver' in the Greek startup Agritrack, thanks to S3E Reverse. This partnership promises to increase transparency and accountability in the wine supply chain, setting a new standard for the industry.
The S3E Reverse program is part of the South3E EU-funded project, consisting of a dedicated brokerage program connecting corporate challenges with deep tech solutions developed by startups from Southern Europe. This program is built on a successful open innovation methodology designed to foster collaboration and drive technological advancement.
The business match between Sogrape and Agritrack
The story of how Sogrape and Agritrack came together is one of innovation, vision and the power of collaborative platforms. It all began with the S3E Reverse Open Call, an initiative designed to connect large organizations with innovative solutions from SMEs and scale-ups across Southern Europe. This open call invites participants to submit their ideas and products to address specific challenges posed by large corporations and boost cross-border business opportunities.
Sogrape has long been committed to excellence, sustainability and quality in its wine production. However the complexity of the supply chain presented challenges in maintaining the highest standards of transparency and accountability, and Sogrape had been seeking a robust solution to it. The need was clear: a system that could meticulously track every product and material from the vineyard to the consumer’s table. When Sogrape presented this challenge, it became one of the many critical problems awaiting innovative solutions in the S3E Reverse Open Call.
The power of the S3E Reverse program
Through the S3E Reverse program, Agritrack was not just selected but also provided with a customized innovation support program tailored to their needs. It included one-on-one business coaching and technology brokerage services, ensuring that Agritrack could seamlessly integrate its solution with Sogrape’s operations and maximize its impact. The Reverse Broker assigned to this match is José Eduardo Amorim de Sousa, Senior Executive at Enline Energy Solutions, a leading Portuguese provider of innovative digital twin technology and data-driven solutions for the energy sector.
Agritrack's cutting-edge solution
Agritrack, an innovator in supply chain technology, offers a state-of-the-art platform featuring an immutable ledger and a tamper-proof record that provides permanent traceability from farm to fork. This technology ensures that every transaction and movement within the supply chain is recorded authentically, mitigating food fraud and counterfeiting risks.
Agritrack's platform goes beyond basic traceability. It also records critical environmental factors such as humidity and temperature, which are essential for maintaining wine quality. By capturing this data, Agritrack ensures that the wine's journey from the vineyard to the consumer is meticulously monitored and preserved.
The partnership between Sogrape and Agritrack exemplifies the power of innovation and collaboration in addressing industry challenges. By leveraging Agritrack's advanced traceability platform, Sogrape is setting new standards for transparency and quality in the wine industry. This collaboration not only benefits Sogrape and its customers but also paves the way for other companies to adopt similar solutions, fostering a more transparent and accountable supply chain across the food and beverage sector.
One of the standout features of Agritrack's platform is its integration of Machine Learning (ML). The platform builds digital twins of the supply chain processes by analysing past production cycles. This advanced analysis allows Sogrape to better assess and predict quality outcomes, optimize production methods, and enhance overall efficiency. The use of ML not only improves current operations but also provides valuable insights for future planning and innovation.
A call to innovators. Apply to be a Solver, join the Deep Tech revolution!
This partnership between Sogrape and Agritrack is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in addressing industry challenges. By leveraging Agritrack's advanced technology, Sogrape is poised to enhance its supply chain transparency and ensure its products' highest standards of quality and authenticity.
We invite all forward-thinking startups and SMEs to seize this opportunity. Apply to be a Solver and become part of a dynamic network driving the future of industry innovation. Explore our challenges and join the S3E Reverse program to make a lasting impact.
South3E has available the Open Call #2 for scale-ups and SMEs from Southern Europe to connect with corporate challenges. Innovators with groundbreaking solutions are invited to apply and become part of this transformative journey. The deadline for applications is 31 October 2024.
For more information and to apply, click here.
Let's revolutionize the Southern European Deep Tech ecosystem together!
We look forward to creating long-lasting collaborations!
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S3E Reverse launches Open Call #2 for Solvers — new challenges added!
South3E has launched a new Open Call for scale-ups and SMEs from Southern Europe to join S3E Reverse — our brokerage program that connects corporate challenges with deep tech solutions developed by startups, designed upon a successful open innovation methodology.
Apply before 31 October via F6S!
How it works
SMEs and scaleups interested in participating are invited to submit a solution to address one of the challenges we've received from large organisations. Our deep tech brokers will select the most mature and fitting 'Solver', according to the ideas or products submitted, and match them with the challenger organisation.
Through S3E Reverse, the selected SMEs and scale-ups will benefit from a customised innovation support program designed specifically for them, which includes 1-1 business coaching and technology brokerage services.
The programme will operate on a first-come, first-served basis; when a match is identified by the Broker, the Challenger and the Solver will be notified so they can start working together.
The challenges
1. Collaborative Intelligence in the Service of Humanity
Challenge organisation: Infinitivity Design Labs (IDL)
Solution needed: How can AI be designed to prioritise collaborative intelligence and effectively address human needs? Are there concrete use cases? The solution will need to demonstrate how AI can addressing specific human/business needs in various sectors (e.g. healthcare, agriculture), focusing on the collaborative intelligence aspect of AI.
Solve this challenge: Apply here.
2. Route Optimisation for Meter Reading Collection
Challenge organisation: EYATh (Thessaloniki Water & Sewer Company S.A.)
Solution needed: Water meter routes currently lack geographical optimization. Considering traffic patterns and existing route parameters, can you develop a route optimisation tool for cost and time efficiency using geographical and network analysis?
Solve this challenge: Apply here.
3. Improving User Experience for Data Protection and Privacy
Challenge organisation: University Hospital Cologne
Solution needed: How can users have more control over health data usage, enhancing trust in data sharing for research? Help us design user-friendly and secure solutions giving citizens and patients greater control over their health data; consider routine and research workflows.
Solve this challenge: Apply here.
4. Integrating collaborative robots into various facets of the food production industry
Challenge organisation: I4byDesign Competence Centre
Solution needed: Address the integration of collaborative robots (cobots) in the food production industry focusing on hygiene, safety, adaptability, human collaboration, quality control, traceability, sustainability, and resource efficiency. We're looking for innovations in cobot technologies that enhance food safety, adapt to diverse environments, facilitate human-robot collaboration, ensure product quality, and promote sustainability.
Solve this challenge: Apply here.
5. Weather Radar Interference
Challenge organisation: 3DSA - General Aviation Applications
Solution needed: 3DSA's weather radars are experiencing interference from wireless communication devices operating on the same frequencies. This disrupts weather monitoring, potentially impacting storm tracking and warnings. We need solutions or technologies that can mitigate or filter severe interference on weather radar output, while maintaining accuracy in detecting precipitation and storm behaviour.
Solve this challenge: Apply here.
6. Reduction of Free Melamine Content in Wastewater
Challenge organisation: Sonae Arauco
Solution needed: Due to melamine's carcinogenic classification, how can it be removed from wastewater in processes like decorative paper impregnation? To tackle this challenge, you need to develop a competitive, industrially-applicable, and scalable solution to remove free melamine from wastewater without impacting current production processes.
Solve this challenge: Apply here.
7. Automobile Sales Forecasting with AI: Reducing Deviation Rates and Improving Accuracy
Challenge organisation: Otokoç Otomotiv
Solution needed: Collaboration with a startup offering AI solutions can lead to more precise and reliable sales forecasts for Otokoç Otomotiv. Improved forecasting accuracy enables better business planning and strategy development. The use of advanced technology can help in adapting to market dynamics, especially with the evolving landscape of electric vehicles, and make informed decisions.
Solve this challenge: Apply here.
8. AI Based Damage Inspection
Challenge organisation: Otokoç Otomotiv
Solution needed: A product or platform to detect vehicle damages using image processing technology. It should provide quick reports on the vehicle's condition based on the detected damages. The solution should also analyze the cost of damages and provide information on whether vehicle parts need replacement, along with the associated prices.
Solve this challenge: Apply here.
9. Creation of lightweight installation structure
Challenge organisation: Babylon Gardens
Solution needed: The solution should facilitate the easy installation and removal of plastic bottles, be economically and sustainably produced, and enhance the aesthetic appeal of the installations.
Solve this challenge: Apply here.
10. Enhancement of Operational Efficiency and Industry 4.0 Adoption
Challenge organisation: SOLIMPEKS
Solution needed: SOLIMPEKS faces challenges in various operational aspects, including investment planning, plant commissioning, facility layout, digital marketing and Industry 4.0 implementation. These challenges result in increased costs, reduced productivity, and decreased competitiveness. Addressing these issues requires adoption of advanced project management methodologies for investment commissioning, lean manufacturing principles for facility optimization, investment in digital marketing training and tools, and implementation of Industry 4.0
Solve this challenge: Apply here.
11. Reduction of Food Waste in Aquaculture
Challenge organisation: Strategis Maritime
Solution needed: Incorporate bioprocessing and extraction technologies, green chemistry, materials science for biomaterial development, and AI for waste characterization and process optimization to tackle food waste effectively.
Solve this challenge: Apply here.
12. c-BEMS + CO2 Emissions Calculator
Challenge organisation: Inteligg
Solution needed: Advanced AI/ML algorithms for real-time energy management and emissions calculation, integration of IoT platforms for device and protocol management, and development of user-friendly interfaces for global remote monitoring.
Solve this challenge: Apply here.
13. Internationalization of R&D
Challenge organisation: Innorma
Solution needed: A system capable of streamlining regulatory compliance, optimizing budget, ensuring technical scalability, minimizing environmental impact, and attracting skilled labor. There needs to be an emphasis on developing unique selling propositions and setting realistic development and market entry timelines.
Solve this challenge: Apply here.
14. Predict route risks in the supply chain
Challenge organisation: Brisa
Solution needed: A predictative system to ensure the continuity of supply chain so that we can continue to our sustainable supply chain practices. When there is an interruption in the supply chain due to unexpected problems in the routes, our operations are interrupted and emergency scenarios are applied which can be out of our sustainability scope. Currently, this issue is addressed by manually tracking the news.
Solve this challenge: Apply here.
How to apply
Startups and SMEs interested in becoming a Solver to tackle one of the listed challenges will need to complete this online application form as soon as possible, considering the matching process is done on a first come - first serve basis. We advise all applicants to download and carefully read our Application Guidelines for further information about the program and the selection process.
The S3E Reverse Open Call for Solvers welcomes applications from startups and SMEs based in:
- South European countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Spain.
- Associated countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo and Turkey.
Please note: Solver organisations may apply for more than one Challenge, with different applications. The matching between challenge organisations and solvers will be kept confidential; all SMEs and startups will be notified regardless of the result of the selection process.
Key info to keep in mind
- We will update the list of challenges on a monthly basis.
- The final deadline to apply to the Call is 31 October 2024.
- The matching process between the challenge organizations and solution providers will be on a first come – first serve basis, so the faster you submit your proposal the more chances you have to be selected for a suitable match.
We look forward to creating long-lasting collaborations!
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Connect with us on X and LinkedIn
Meet the selected CHALLENGES: S3E REVERSE Program in action!
The aim of S3E REVERSE is to create a Deep Tech Brokerage Program that will connect corporates and public organisations (Challenge Organisations) that face certain challenges related to the SDGs, with start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs (Solvers) that can address these challenges through their products, services, and solutions, based on deep tech.
The overall goal is to create new collaborations between Challenge Organisations with specific needs and the Solvers that are able to address them.
We launched this program in November 2022 by inviting Challenge Organisations to submit challenges through our Open Call Mechanism. Through this Open Call we received a total of 21 challenges from 19 organisations and after running an independent and transparent evaluation process, we have selected 15 challenges.
MEET THE 15 DEEP TECH CHALLENGES
Challenge title |
Challenge description |
Related SDGs: |
| AI-driven Energy efficiency | This Challenge aims to reduce costs due to unnecessary energy consumption and avoid destruction of fuel and natural resources used and the resulting pollution caused. | SDG 9
SDG 10 |
| Human-centred services with privacy at the core | This Challenge aims to tackle a social problem by use of deep tech driven innovations for the support of well-being professionals and those seeking mental help while easing the burden on the hospitals caused by the rise in the demand for mental help due to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. | SDG 3
SDG 9 |
| Energy Demand Forecasting | This is a targeted Challenge aiming to come up with optimal bidding strategies that will be used as part of power and gas demand forecasting algorithms for residential users | SDG 3
SDG 9 |
| Monitor and improve public health, reduce health disparities, and support healthy lifestyles | Health and well-being are an important challenge for smart cities, and technology can play a significant role in improving public health and reducing health disparities.
This Challenge aims to devise technology driven solutions that can solve several key problems related to the well-being of smart such as, amongst others inadequate access to care, lack of health information, inefficient use of healthcare resources and chronic disease management. |
SDG 3 |
| Thermal energy storage | The process of aluminium smelting and shaping requires high temperatures and incurs high energy costs. A great amount of thermal energy gets lost. This is a dual challenge as it concerns on the one side how to decrease energy losses and also reduce the negative environmental impact. | SDG 9 |
| Global Monitoring of Health Misinformation | This Challenge is about finding ways to compile, analyse, monitor and respond to the proliferation of public conversations that can be detrimental to the quality of life.
Applications can be considered in various levels: in global context like by the United Nations Health Organisation, applied to a local context like a municipality or a region monitoring citizen behaviours and trends, or a commercial brand that monitor consumer habits and reactions |
SDG 3
SDG 4 SDG 5 SDG 9 |
| Increase transparency and accountability in the wine supply chain | This Challenge is focused on enabling the track of products and materials from source to final destination in the wine supply chain. We would like to explore the potential of employing blockchain technology and cover aspects related to quality control, traceability, and sustainability. | SDG 8
SDG 9 |
| Vehicle Fleet Management | Communities and SMEs alike suffer from lack of technical support in managing and growing their green vehicle rental service offerings as they are unable to compete with big commercial players.
This Challenge aims to help come up with innovative and intuitive solutions that will help reverse this trend. |
SDG 3
SDG 9 SDG 10 |
| Flood Risk prevention in Smart Cities | Climate hazards are already a serious threat to many urban dwellers, who are increasingly affected by extreme weather. This Challenge aims to deploy Digital Twin technology to support assessment of flood risks using Open Data (Geospatial, Satellite, Climate Data) and AI-based models. | SDG 9 |
| Clean energy solutions for sustainable agriculture | This Challenge aims to explore novel ways to develop and deploy deeptech innovations to generate low-cost and clean energy in particular for agricultural usage demands. | SDG 9 |
| Improving the user experience for data protection and privacy | Sharing private data (health, lifestyle) is always an issue: apart from the legal aspect, citizens should have an increased feeling of value they receive from sharing or donating their own data. This challenge aims to explore ways to offer citizens and patients an increased control over their own data, incentivising them to share or donate them for health- and medical-related research and innovation activities | SDG 3
SDG 8 SDG 9 |
| Prevention of harassment | With this challenge we seek to deploy viable NLP algorithms that can detect written harassment and be used as plug-ins to online corporate communications | SDG 5
SDG 8 |
| Digital transformation processes | Manufacturers and distributors of products in electronic marketplaces face many challenges and there is an increasing demand for coupling IT processes close(r) to the production processes. | SDG 9
SDG 10 |
| Optimization of machine operation | Production plants consist of many isolated machines that are not connected with each other. How can a plant interconnect all machines in one single platform? This platform will support AI and Data Analytics and enable functions such as controlling the machines, monitoring, and improving productivity, updating MES etc. | SDG 9 |
| Raw material and alloy upgrade | In a Scrap Sorting Unit of an aluminium production company, aluminium scrap goes through the shredder before going through the smelting process to turn into aluminium billets. During the alloying process unwanted elements remain in the material. A) How could we remove these unwanted elements? The alloy mixture is determined by employees based on experience (% of scrap and % al. billets). B) How could we optimise the mixture “recipe” to give the final product the characteristics we want? | SDG 9 |
ARE YOU A START-UP OR SME WITH A DEEP TECH SOLUTION?
S3E REVERSE is launching its first open call for applications for Solvers: start-ups and SMEs with deep tech solutions to overcome the challenges described above.
Any kind of SME can participate as long as it meets the following criteria:
- Is established in any country of the Southern European science-based innovation ecosystem is eligible for the Horizon Europe program including associated countries.
- Is capable of addressing a challenge that has been submitted as part of the conducted open call for Challenges and which is related to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
- Can justify the development and / or deployment of a Deep Tech solution.
OPEN CALL LAUNCHES ON 14 MARCH 2023
The Solver Organisation will be invited to submit a simple and quick application to present the proposed solution to any of the submitted challenges of the previous phase. The application will be submitted through the F6S platform and is available at: https://www.f6s.com/s3e-reverse-for-solvers/apply
To get ready to apply, do not forget to read carefully the Guidelines for Applicants, available here.
GET READY TO APPLY!
WE ARE LOOKING FOR YOU!
Presentation of S3E REVERSE to I4byDesign, a competence center for Industry 4.0
Yesterday we organised a virtual information session to the 22 member companies of I4byDesign.
The presentation was done by our colleague Odysseas Spyroglou, R&I Projects Lead at International Development Ireland and it was delivered in Greek.
The I4byDesign Competence Center, with a focus on Industry 4.0 technologies, provides strategic and operational support to Greek manufacturing companies, with the aim of the digital and technological transformation of their industrial processes. Through a wide range of knowledge, methodologies, digital tools and services, it reshapes their organizational, business and strategic models, while maintaining their competitiveness at a high level.
I4byDesign, in the form of a Collaborative Innovation Formation, is framed by 1 research organization and 22 Greek companies in the field of Industry 4.0 and Logistics 4.0, being a connecting link between research and business.
If you are interested in watching the session, click below:
Learn how we are going to accomplish our mission through our three innovative programs (START, CHARGE and REVERSE) and get ready to APPLY to the Open Call #1 to join the SOUTHERN DEEP TECH REVOLUTION.
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The engine for South European Deep Tech calls for brokers to meet the best startup talent
In order to support the implementation of S3E REVERSE, we are calling deep tech brokers to match identified corporate challenges with the portfolio of solutions offered by scaling startups.
About S3E REVERSE
S3E Reserve is designed to help scaling start-ups and more mature SMEs to gain market traction through a pan-European brokerage program, that will connect them with corporates with certain challenges and problems, which they can work together to solve.
To learn more about the S3E REVERSE program, visit this site: https://south3e.eu/apply-now/
Deep Tech Brokers
The role of S3E deep tech brokers is to analyse the challenges posed by corporates that require relevant field of expertise, interview the liaison element of the corporate for a better understanding of the challenge and finetune its specification, analyse and interview scale start-ups that match their field(s) of expertise, choose the adequate solution provider and broker the contacts between the corporate and the start-up(s) that may have a solution to solve the challenge.
Brokers are considered eligible for the S3E Call for experts if complying with ALL the following rules:
- High-level of expertise and professional experience in supporting technological innovation projects, growth and scaling startups.
- Experience in the following science fields: agricultural sciences, engineering and technology, medical and health sciences, and natural sciences.
- A very good level of English is required because it is the official language of the program.
- Knowledge of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Experience in innovation support, evaluation, mentoring, and /or coaching.
Scope of collaboration
Deep Tech Brokers selected for our program are expected to dedicate around 10 hours in private consultations and meetings with the Challenge Organisations and/or the scale-ups to help them define their needs and agree on a common action plan that will be described in an MoU document.
This document will provide the basic requirements that will be needed by the scaleups to adapt or customise their solutions and products and will outline their future collaboration options: direct sale, common R&I project, pre-commercial procurements (PCPs) and public procurements of innovative solutions (PPIs) opportunities, further work etc. The work of the Tech Brokers will start at around July 2023 and will last till Dec 2023.
What are the benefits?
As well as benefiting from the opportunity to draw on their own experience and knowledge to help another colleague grow and develop, as an expert, brokers also benefit from the chance to:
🔶 Play an active role in the South European deep tech ecosystem.
🔶 Access to the S3E Community and expand your professional network.
🔶 Training on “Sustainable Development and Investments” with a certificate by the Institute for Sustainable Development at EPLO.
🔶 Connect with relevant EU institutions and stakeholders.
🔶 Have the opportunity to “give something back”:
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- Give insights into processes and practices that you are familiar with.
- Share good practices from your own experience.
- Offer perspectives and insights into new or different ways of doing things.
- Enable new colleagues to hit the ground running and be as effective as possible in their roles.
🔶 Learn by gaining exposure to new ideas, approaches, and perspectives.
🔶 Gain recognition for your skills and experience and for your contribution as an expert, raising your professional profile.
🔶 Develop valuable interpersonal and communication skills such as listening and questioning.
🔶 Be at the forefront of the revolution of deep tech.
Apply before 31st January:
Download the Expression of Interest text: https://zenodo.org/record/7377769/files/S3E%20Call%20for%20experts.pdf?download=1
Apply via F6S: https://www.f6s.com/s3e-call-for-experts/apply
More info: https://south3e.eu/community/
💥Join the deep tech revolution in South Europe💥
